Mathilde was a pretty young woman married to Monsieur Loisel, a clerk in the education ministry.
ministry
(政府的)部门
Mathilde was a pretty young woman married to Monsieur Loisel, a clerk in the education ministry.
while
1. 然而，(2. 当…的时候，3. 一会儿，一段时间)
While he was content with their Paris apartment and ordinary, but comfortable, existence, Mathilde felt she deserved more.
content
1. 满足的，(2. (常用复数)容纳的东西，具体内容)
While he was content with their Paris apartment and ordinary, but comfortable, existence, Mathilde felt she deserved more.
existence
1. 生活，(2. 存在，生存)
While he was content with their Paris apartment and ordinary, but comfortable, existence, Mathilde felt she deserved more.
deserved
应得的
While he was content with their Paris apartment and ordinary, but comfortable, existence, Mathilde felt she deserved more.
long for
渴望
She longed for the finer things in life.
desire
1. 渴望，要求(名词)，2. 渴望，想要(动词)
1. Her desire was so great that she felt jealous every time she visited Jeanne Forestier, her wealthy friend. 2. By midnight her husband had fallen asleep in a chair, but she was still indulging in the attention she had long desired.
triumphantly
得意洋洋地
One January night Monsieur Loisel triumphantly presented Mathilde with an invitation to the education minister's ball.
invitation
邀请，邀请函
One January night Monsieur Loisel triumphantly presented Mathilde with an invitation to the education minister's ball.
minister
1. 部长，大臣，(2. 牧师，神职人员)
One January night Monsieur Loisel triumphantly presented Mathilde with an invitation to the education minister's ball.
appropriate
适当的，恰当的
That's not appropriate for a ball!
colleague
同事
Give your invitation to a colleague whose wife can dress suitably!
suitably
合适地，适宜地
Give your invitation to a colleague whose wife can dress suitably!
occasion
1. 重大(或特殊)活动，(2. (特定的)时间，场合)
My dear, how much would a dress cost—something you could wear on other occasions?
glamorous
富有魅力的，迷人的
She needed a sum high enough for a glamorous ball gown, but not so outrageous that her husband would instantly refuse.
outrageous
离谱的，荒谬的
She needed a sum high enough for a glamorous ball gown, but not so outrageous that her husband would instantly refuse.
precise
精确的，准确的
He'd saved that precise amount for a hunting trip.
swallow
1. 吞没，淹没，(2. 咽下，吞下，3. 燕子)
But, swallowing his disappointment, he gave her the money.
disappointment
失望
But, swallowing his disappointment, he gave her the money.
draw
1. 靠近，临近，(2. 引起...注意，使注意) (draw-drew-drawn)
As the ball drew near, Mathilde became more irritated and unhappy.
irritated
恼怒的
As the ball drew near, Mathilde became more irritated and unhappy.
close
1. 近的，接近的，(2. 惊险的)
Mathilde appeared close to tears.
utter
发出(声音、叹息等)
Mathilde uttered a cry of joy.
bracelet
手镯，臂镯
Mathilde tried on expensive bracelets and necklaces, but nothing seemed extravagant enough.
extravagant
1. 奢侈的，(2. 夸张的，过度的)
Mathilde tried on expensive bracelets and necklaces, but nothing seemed extravagant enough.
impatiently
不耐烦地，没耐心地，焦躁地
Mathilde asked impatiently.
scoop
1. 赶快捡起，(2. (冰淇淋等)一勺，一汤匙，3. 用勺舀，用铲子铲)
She swiftly scooped it up and fastened it around her neck.
reflection
(由镜子等倒映出的)映象，倒影
She murmured as she gazed at her reflection.
residence
住宅，居住地
On the night of the ball, Mathilde was the prettiest woman at the minister's residence.
indulge
沉迷于，放纵于
By midnight her husband had fallen asleep in a chair, but she was still indulging in the attention she had long desired.
cab
1. 旧时的出租马车，(2. 出租车)
Wait here while I find a cab.
someplace
在某处，到某处
It must be here someplace.
retrace
顺原路返回
He flew out of the house to retrace their steps.
place
1. (出于某种目的)使处于，把...置于放置，安置，贴，2. 放置，安置
He visited the cab company, the police, and finally the newspapers, where he placed an ad offering a reward.
reward
1. 奖赏(名词)，(2. 报答，报偿(动词))
He visited the cab company, the police, and finally the newspapers, where he placed an ad offering a reward.
distraught
不在正常心理状态，心烦意乱地
Hours later he returned home empty-handed and found Mathilde waiting, still in her ball dress and too distraught to move.
clasp
1. (包，钥匙等)扣环，(2. 紧紧抓住，攥紧)
Write to Jeanne and say you've broken the necklace's clasp and are having it repaired.
urgently
紧急地，急迫地
"Write to Jeanne and say you've broken the necklace's clasp and are having it repaired," he said urgently.
jeweler
珠宝商，宝石商
That week they went from jeweler to jeweler, searching for a similar necklace.
similar
类似的
That week they went from jeweler to jeweler, searching for a similar necklace.
inherit
继承，得到遗传
Monsieur Loisel had inherited 18,000 francs; he borrowed the rest from friends and lenders.
lender
放款人，借款机构
Monsieur Loisel had inherited 18,000 francs; he borrowed the rest from friends and lenders.
dramatically
戏剧化地，戏剧性地
After that, the Loisels' lives changed dramatically.
dismiss
解雇
To pay the horrible debt, they dismissed their servant and moved to an attic room.
endure
1. 忍耐，忍受，(2. 持续)
Mathilde endured the housework and any other work she could find.
loan
1. 贷款，(2. 借出(钱))
It took ten years for the Loisels to pay back all their loans plus interest.
interest
1. (金融)利息，(2. 兴趣，爱好，3. 使...感兴趣)
It took ten years for the Loisels to pay back all their loans plus interest.
encounter
1. 偶然(或短暂的)碰见，(2. 偶遇)
One day while walking in the park, she encountered Jeanne who still looked youthful and beautiful.
youthful
年轻的，朝气蓬勃的
One day while walking in the park, she encountered Jeanne who still looked youthful and beautiful.
address
1. 对...说话，(2. 演讲)
Jeanne asked, surprised that this stranger was addressing her.
recount
详述，叙述
Mathilde recounted the story of her descent into poverty.
descent
下来，下降
Mathilde recounted the story of her descent into poverty.
poverty
贫困，贫穷
Mathilde recounted the story of her descent into poverty.
original
1. 原件，(2. 最初的)
I never realized that the necklace wasn't the original !